| You have learnt the cards and their meanings and you | | | | impressions and interpretations. |
| know how to lay a tarot spread but how do you | | | | 5. Depending on whether you interpret the reverse |
| actually give a tarot card reading for someone else? | | | | meanings of the cards, you will want to turn the cards |
| These tips and rules should help you conduct your first | | | | over left to right rather than flipping. This is to ensure |
| tarot reading! | | | | the cards are in their original positions. Whatever way |
| 1. Discuss beforehand with the client what you both | | | | you interpret the cards, you should position them in |
| expect to achieve from the reading. For you, this | | | | accordance with you reading, not the client observing. |
| means explaining how the tarot works and what the | | | | 6. When reading, you can begin with how the cards |
| cards will and will not predict. | | | | generally feel for you (for example, are they ruled by a |
| - You need to express to your client that the tarot will | | | | particular suit?) Or you can begin by interpreting each |
| predict what is most likely to happen in the future and | | | | card individually. (Are there any thoughts or feelings |
| why these events will happen. Tarot will also provide | | | | that instantly pop out at you? Does one card seem to |
| the best course of action to either encourage or | | | | hold more importance than any of the others?) If |
| discourage these future events. | | | | neither of these options feel correct, begin |
| - You will need to explain that a reading may not | | | | interpretation with the initial card and work your way |
| provide the client with the answers they are | | | | through the spread. When interpreting: |
| specifically searching for, but it will give them guidance | | | | - Consider each card separately with your |
| in an area of their life that they need at that time. | | | | interpretation and then consider how that card is |
| - You need to advise them that the cards may not | | | | affected by its surrounding cards in the spread. |
| answer a question at all! The client is simply not to | | | | - Consider the nature of the question asked by the |
| know the future at that time. | | | | client. |
| - You will also need to make your client aware that | | | | 7. During the reading, give the client the opportunity to |
| both negative as well as positive information may be | | | | discuss and possibly interpret the cards with you. |
| communicated through the cards and they have to be | | | | Remember that tarot reading is a two way street for |
| comfortable with that before proceeding with the | | | | communication! |
| reading. | | | | 8. If you have trouble interpreting the cards or receiving |
| 2. When it comes to the reading, decide what tarot | | | | any information, don't forget that everyone has their |
| spread you will use. Will it be a Celtic cross or | | | | off days and sometimes the cards will just not |
| something more specific to the interpretation of what | | | | respond to a question! Also consider the following: |
| your client is asking? Ask your client to shuffle the | | | | - A client may just be hard to read for or they may |
| deck and focus on the issues they would like | | | | just not like the answer to the question! |
| answering whilst shuffling. Ask them to then cut the | | | | - The question asked may not be specific enough. |
| cards into three stacks and to recombine them into | | | | - If you feel under pressure to perform, take a few |
| one deck in whatever order they feel is natural. | | | | deep breaths to clear your mind and voice your |
| 3. Take the deck face down and hold them in the | | | | troubles out loud to the client. This may be enough to |
| palm of your hands. Take this time to communicate | | | | clear the block. |
| inside yourself to your higher consciousness, higher self | | | | - As stated above, include the client in the reading as |
| or spirit guide (whatever you believe in,) and ask that | | | | their thoughts and feelings may help you to proceed. |
| the communications you receive are clear, accurately | | | | 9. Always be honest in readings. If you see a negative |
| interpreted and give the client a positive and | | | | situation occurring in the future, do not gloss over it but |
| constructive reading. | | | | advise the client about it. |
| 4. Deal the cards from the top in order and once your | | | | 10. To end a session, provide the client with a |
| spread is completed, leave the rest of the cards to | | | | summary of what the cards have advised. Asked |
| one side. You may wish to turn the cards up one at a | | | | them if they have understood everything and if there is |
| time as you interpret them or you may wish to deal | | | | anything else they wish to know. Once you are |
| them face up to begin with. I tend to do the latter as it | | | | finished with a client, hold the deck in your hand and |
| gives you a build up of general energy and initial | | | | communicate thanks to your tarot deck for the advice. |